Committee advances bill to authorize extra $1.5 billion in DOT bonding authority

The House Appropriations and Finance Committee advanced House Bill 145, which would authorize the State Transportation Commission to issue an additional $1.5 billion in bonds to finance state highway projects. Supporters said the additional bonding authority would allow the Department of Transportation to fund prioritized projects in the statewide transportation plan and better leverage federal matching funds.

Nut graf: Testimony from the governor’s infrastructure adviser and DOT leadership emphasized that inflation and construction cost increases make predictable funding streams critical. Rebecca Roos, infrastructure adviser in the governor’s office, said the measure "provides a more consistent source of funding for these critical highway projects for years to come" and described the bill as a coordinated, transparent approach.

Details and concerns: Jim Garcia, executive director of the Associated Contractors of New Mexico, urged including a permanent revenue source and cautioned that borrowing increases taxpayer burden. He also told the committee that construction inflation is averaging 35–40% and that restrictions such as Buy America can be obstacles. Supporters, including the Asphalt Pavement Association and county and municipal officials, urged passage to maintain public safety and tourism infrastructure.

Ending: Representative Brown moved to recommend the bill do pass as amended; Representative Pettigrew registered opposition during the motion. The transcript records the committee’s motion and statements of support and concern; a formal roll call was requested but a full numeric roll was not read in the excerpt recorded in the transcript.